Stepping onto the grand stage of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expected a roaring crowd for his team’s Club World Cup clash against Los Angeles FC.

Instead, he found an atmosphere so quiet that the coach described it as “strange“, with the massive 71,000-seat arena barely a quarter full to witness Chelsea’s 2-0 victory, Footballrover reports.

Enzo Maresca ponders the quiet FIFA Club World Cup

This unexpected emptiness has raised questions about the tournament’s draw in a city known for its passionate soccer fans, casting a peculiar shadow over the early stages of the prestigious FIFA Club World tournament.

The Monday afternoon match, featuring the Premier League giants, saw just over 22,000 fans in attendance.

This was despite slashed ticket prices, with general admission available for a mere $51 on game day.

For a city like Atlanta, home to MLS powerhouse Atlanta United, which averages nearly 47,000 fans per game, the low turnout for a Club World competition fixture involving the West London side was perplexing.

“The stadium was almost empty, not full. “We are professional, and we have to adapt… it doesn’t matter,” Maresca noted.

While the sparse crowd was noticeable, both managers focused on the game.

LAFC’s Steve Cherundolo suggested waiting until the tournament’s end for a full summary of attendance, emphasising the incredible nature of the event itself.

For Maresca, however, the focus quickly shifted to player performance, specifically the impact of new signing Liam Delap.

Chelsea’s new talent shines in Club World Cup opener

The young forward, joining the Blues from Ipswich Town, wasted no time making his mark, setting up Enzo Fernández for the second goal.

Maresca shared his curiosity about how established striker Nicolas Jackson will react to Delap’s arrival, noting, “I am curious to see how Nico reacts [to Delap].”

Despite the ‘strange’ environment, the European giants secured a vital 2-0 win, putting them level at the top of their group with Flamengo.

The performance shows the depth of the squad and the potential of new additions under Maresca’s guidance.

The team proved they can adapt, whether playing in a packed stadium or a near-empty one.

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Last Updated on June 17, 2025 9:46 am by Sir Kris